Reliving the Miracle at Bobby Dodd: Lance Austin’s Game-Winning Return

On October 24, 2015, Georgia Tech fans witnessed one of the most unforgettable moments in college football history. Under the bright lights of Bobby Dodd Stadium, the Yellow Jackets stunned No. 9 Florida State with a play that still gives Tech fans chills to this day.

Florida State entered the night as heavy favorites. The Seminoles were 6–0 and ranked in the top 10, while Georgia Tech sat at 2–5, fighting to find its rhythm. For most of the game. The Jackets held their own, battling one of the nation’s best teams blow for blow, but it all came down to one final play.

With the game tied 16–16 and only seconds left, Florida State lined up for a potential game-winning 56-yard field goal. What happened next would become an instant classic. The kick was blocked, and the loose ball rolled toward the Georgia Tech sideline. Defensive back Lance Austin scooped it up and took off.

Racing 78 yards down the field, Austin dodged tackles and sprinted into the end zone as the clock hit zero. The stadium erupted. Georgia Tech had pulled off a stunning 22–16 upset. Ending Florida State’s 28-game ACC winning streak.

Although that victory was Tech’s last of the season, the play became an iconic moment in program history. Known simply as “The Miracle on Techwood Drive,” it reminded fans of the heart, hustle, and never-quit attitude that defines Georgia Tech football.

Ten years later, that blocked kick still echoes through Bobby Dodd. A moment of pure magic that every Jacket fan will always remember.